In iOS 26, you can use AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods Pro 3 as a wireless microphone with supported camera apps. Think of it as turning your AirPods into a lapel mic – you get professional-quality audio capture as well as the freedom to move around during recording. Here's how it works.

Setting Up AirPods as Your Camera Microphone

Using AirPods as a microphone in iOS 26 requires just a few quick steps through Control Center. Make sure your AirPods are connected to your iPhone or iPad before you begin. Note that using AirPods as a camera microphone isn't available in all countries or regions.

1. With your AirPods in your ears, open the Camera app.


2. Switch to Video mode in the Camera app.


3. Open Control Center by swiping down from the upper-right corner of the screen.


4. Tap Camera Controls at the top.


5. Under "Audio & Video," tap Input, then select your AirPods from the pop-up menu. (Note: You might also see Same as System as an option.)

Mic Mode Options

From the same Camera Controls screen, you can also choose from four different microphone modes to suit your recording environment:

• Automatic: Lets your device choose the optimal setting.


• Standard: Default audio processing.


• Voice Isolation: Reduces background noise and emphasizes speech.


• Wide Spectrum: Captures a fuller range of ambient sounds.

Start Your Recording

When you're ready, press the stem on your AirPods to begin recording video. You now have hands-free control over your recording session while your AirPods capture the audio. When you're done, press your AirPods stem again to end the shoot.
This article, "iOS 26: Use AirPods as Microphone When Shooting Video" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iPhone 18 Pro rumors have already started, including one that says Apple may be changing the most polarizing design element of iPhone 17 Pro: the glass cutout on the back of the device.

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Amazon this week has low prices on nearly every Wi-Fi model of the iPad mini 7, starting at $399.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. You'll also find a few deals on cellular models during this sale.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $499.00 and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $699.00, both $100 discounts and available in all colors. In total, these sales are solid second-best prices on the iPad mini 7, coming in just about $20 higher when compared to the all-time low prices we saw during Prime Day over the summer.





Deals on cellular models are a bit rarer on Amazon, with one color of the 128GB cellular iPad mini 7 on sale for $549.00 and a few colors of the 256GB cellular iPad mini 7 on sale for $649.00, both $100 off.

You can also pair a new iPad mini with the Apple Pencil Pro for $99.00 on sale right now on Amazon, down from $129.00.



Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

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This article, "Amazon Takes $100 Off iPad Mini 7, Starting at $399" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's AirPods Pro 3 offer the first redesign of the popular earbuds and add dedicated fitness features, but how do they compare to the previous generations and should you upgrade?


The AirPods Pro were introduced in 2019 as a high-end version of AirPods, offering a new design, touch-sensitive controls, and active noise cancellation (ANC). The second-generation improved ANC and introduced the H2 chip, Precision Finding, and much more. Apple refreshed it with USB-C a year later. This year, Apple debuted the third generation, featuring a new design and heart-rate monitoring. Each generation has added better sound quality and a range of new features.

The second-generation AirPods Pro have now been discontinued by Apple, but they can still be found for reduced prices at third-party resellers and second-hand. As such, some customers may be weighing up whether to purchase second-generation AirPods Pro for a reduced price or the third-generation version.

The different AirPods Pro generations many of their features, so should you consider buying or sticking with the second-generation AirPods Pro to save money? This breakdown also serves as a way to see all the differences that the new AirPods Pro bring to the table.

AirPods Pro (2019)	AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning, 2022)	AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C, 2023)	‌AirPods Pro 3‌ (2025)
Optical IR sensors for in-ear detection	Skin-detect sensors for in-ear detection	Skin-detect sensors for in-ear detection	Skin-detect sensors for in-ear detection
			Refined earbud design
Three silicone ear tips (S, M, and L)	Four silicone ear tips (XS, S, M, and L)	Four silicone ear tips (XS, S, M, and L)	Five silicone ear tips (XXS, XS, S, M, and L)
Force sensor controls	Force sensors and touch controls for volume adjustment	Force sensors and touch controls for volume adjustment	Force sensors and touch controls for volume adjustment
Mechanical pairing button	Mechanical pairing button	Mechanical pairing button	Capacitive pairing button
	Lanyard loop	Lanyard loop	Lanyard loop
IPX4 sweat and water resistant earbuds	IPX4 sweat and water resistant earbuds	IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistant earbuds and charging case	IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistant earbuds and charging case
H1 chip	H2 chip	H2 chip	H2 chip
Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.3
2.4GHz connectivity	2.4GHz connectivity	2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivity	2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivity
		Lossless audio with Vision Pro	Lossless audio with Vision Pro
	U1 chip in charging case	U1 chip in charging case	U2 chip in charging case
	Precision Finding	Precision Finding	Precision Finding (1.5x further)
Active Noise Cancellation	Active Noise Cancellation (2x stronger)	Active Noise Cancellation (2x stronger)	Active Noise Cancellation (4x stronger)
Transparency	Transparency and Adaptive Transparency	Transparency and Adaptive Transparency	Transparency and Adaptive Transparency
	Hearing Test	Hearing Test	Hearing Test
	Hearing Aid	Hearing Aid	Hearing Aid
	Automatic Conversation Boost	Automatic Conversation Boost	Automatic Conversation Boost
	Hearing Protection	Hearing Protection	Hearing Protection
	Live Translation	Live Translation	Live Translation
			Heart rate sensing during workouts
Lightning port	Lightning port	USB-C port	USB-C port
	Compatible with Apple Watch charger	Compatible with Apple Watch charger	Compatible with Apple Watch charger
Up to 4.5 hours of listening time with ANC enabled	Up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC enabled	Up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC enabled	Up to 8 hours of listening time with ANC enabled
24 hours of total listening time with ANC using charging case	30 hours of total listening time with ANC using charging case	30 hours of total listening time with ANC using charging case	24 hours of total listening time with ANC using charging case

Overall, the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ offer a relatively significant upgrade over the previous generation with valuable enhancements across the board, such as better fit, longer battery life, and improved dust and water resistance. Users who heavily use their AirPods Pro may be able to justify upgrading to the third-generation model due to the wide range of improvements, but this will not be the case for all existing users.

Those who recently purchased the AirPods Pro 2 may not be able to justify upgrading to the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ at the current time, unless they particularly want features like enhanced ANC and heart-rate monitoring, or hope for a better fit. The AirPods Pro 2 continue to get new features such as Live Translation and share the same chip as the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌; they are still a solid device in 2025.

Users who purchased their AirPods Pro in 2022 or earlier will almost certainly see more of a reason to upgrade, especially if the batteries in their existing device have significantly degraded and they want to transition to USB-C. First-generation AirPods Pro users, in particular, should consider upgrading. These customers will certainly benefit from the plethora of refinements that the third-generation model offers.

If you've been interested in purchasing the AirPods Pro for a while, now is still a good time to pick up the second-generation model for a hefty discount. Likewise, it is worth bearing in mind that the AirPods Pro are among the most-commonly discounted Apple products, so check out our Apple Deals Roundup for significant savings.
This article, "AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro 3 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Taiwan's Commercial Times this week reported that Apple's Vision Pro headset will be updated next year with Apple's R2 chip. The report said the chip — along with A20 chips for iPhones, and M6 chips for Macs — will be fabricated with TSMC's latest 2nm process.


The current Apple Vision Pro is equipped with Apple's M2 chip, which serves as the device's main processor, along with an R1 chip for input processing.

Apple's description of the R1 chip:

M2 delivers unparalleled standalone performance, while the brand-new R1 chip processes input from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones to ensure that content feels like it is appearing right in front of the user's eyes, in real time. R1 streams new images to the displays within 12 milliseconds — 8x faster than the blink of an eye.

By moving to a 2nm process — the R1 chip is likely 3nm — the R2 chip would have even better performance for input processing.

According to previous rumors, the Apple Vision Pro will be updated as soon as this year, with an M4 chip or M5 chip, a new head strap that improves comfort, and potentially a Space Black color option. This report is the first to mention an R2 chip for a future model, but it is unclear if the 2026 timeframe for that upgrade is accurate.
This article, "Apple Vision Pro Rumored to Receive R2 Chip Next Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, and iPhone Air all arrive in stores tomorrow, September 19. Now, Apple has begun notifying the first pre-order customers for the new iPhones that their devices have shipped.

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Pre-orders for iPhone 17 are about to come to a close ahead of delivery day tomorrow, alongside pre-sale listings on the new , Apple Watch Ultra 3, and , but there are a ton of notable deals live right now across the Apple lineup. From M4 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models through to M4 Mac mini, we are also tracking solid price drops across the M3 iPad Air and iPad mini lineups, not to mention some notable accessory offers – Apple’s new 2025 model 25W Qi2 MagSafe Charger, and more. Everything has been collected for you down below.

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Apple TV+ has a huge fall lineup ahead, including the return of one of its best shows next week. Over the coming weeks, Apple TV+ has several brand new crime thriller series debuting, and one of them—The Last Frontier—just got its first trailer.

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Tom's Guide this week published the results of its iPhone Air vs. iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max battery life test, which involves continuous web browsing over 5G. Each model was set to 150 nits of display brightness.


Here is how long each iPhone model lasted on a full charge:

• iPhone Air: 12 hours and 2 minutes


• iPhone 17: 12 hours and 47 minutes


• iPhone 17 Pro: 15 hours and 32 minutes


• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 17 hours and 54 minutes

For this specific usage, the highest-end iPhone 17 Pro Max lasted 48.5% (nearly 1.5×) longer than the ultra-thin iPhone Air.

The results are similar to Apple's figures, which show the Pro Max offering up to 44.5% longer battery life than the Air for offline video playback.

Here are Apple's offline video playback figures for each model:

• iPhone Air: Up to 27 hours


• iPhone 17: Up to 30 hours


• iPhone 17 Pro: Up to 33 hours


• iPhone 17 Pro Max: Up to 39 hours

Of course, most people are not using their iPhones to browse the web or watch videos for an entire day or two nonstop, without using the device for any other purpose. So, these battery life tests do not reflect typical real-world usage. Still, they help to set expectations, and plenty of additional tests will follow over the coming days.

All of the new iPhone models launch this Friday.
This article, "iPhone Air vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max Battery Life Compared in New Test" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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A slew of people are reporting that the Starbucks app is completely broken. With too-perfect irony, the thing that is breaking it is an app satisfaction survey …

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Mobile carriers are very slowly getting better at detecting and blocking scam texts, but it seems the fraudsters may still be staying ahead of the game.

Scammers are now using a technology known as SMS blasters, backpack-sized devices that can trick smartphones into thinking they are cell towers …

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WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature on iPhone that lets you set reminder alerts for specific messages that you want to come back to later.


Available in version 25.25.74 of WhatsApp, the feature allows you to long press on any message in a conversation thread and select a new "Remind me" option in the popup menu. You can then choose between 2 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours, or set a custom duration after which you will be alerted about it.

The new feature is useful for keeping track of important details that might otherwise get lost in busy chats. It's also a simple way to make sure you don't forget to reply to a message at a later time. Here's how to set your first message reminder in WhatsApp:

How to Set a Message Reminder in WhatsApp

1. Open a WhatsApp conversation thread and long press on a message bubble that you want to be reminded about later.


2. Tap More... in the popup menu.


3. Select Remind Me.


4. Select in 2 hours, in 8 hours, in 24 hours, or choose Custom to set a more specific reminder time and date.

A bell symbol appears in the corner of the message bubble to indicate a reminder has been set. When the reminder alert comes through as a notification, depending on your message preview settings you may see the message content, the conversation in which it's located, and a preview of any accompanying media.

The ability to schedule a reminder about a message should be a lot more convenient and foolproof than, say, starring a message or taking a screenshot of it and hoping you'll remember to come back to it.

How to Cancel a WhatsApp Message Reminder

If you want to cancel a reminder that you've set, simply long press a message showing the bell symbol, tap More... then choose Cancel Reminder.
This article, "WhatsApp: How to Set a Message Reminder" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The Apple Watch Hermès has always seemed to serve as nothing more than a way for Apple to separate fashionistas from their money. But the Series 11 model comes with the ultimate new feature for longtime Apple enthusiasts …

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The new iOS 26 software update for iPhone introduces a new full-screen preview experience when taking a screenshot. This includes some new visual lookup functionality, but it also can be a bit annoying if you just want to capture something for later and get on with what are you doing.

iOS 18 and earlier would simply show a small unobtrusive thumbnail of the screenshot in the corner of the screen. Thankfully, this behavior is still possible on iOS 26 as well. Here’s how to change it back.

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Apple has been in discussions with suppliers in Taiwan about potentially building a test production hub in the country for its rumored foldable iPhone, reports Nikkei Asia.


According to the outlet's sources, Apple is interested in building a mini pilot line that would "verify the equipment and fine-tune the parameters and manufacturing steps" for making its foldable iPhone, which is expected to launch next year.

In another step toward manufacturing independence from China, Apple's long-term plan reportedly involves replicating the pilot line in India where it plans to mass produce the new flagship smartphone and ensure a smooth rollout. The initial proposal is seemingly not without its hurdles, however. From the report:

Apple suppliers have eyed a plot of land in a northern Taiwanese city for the mooted pilot line, two of the people said, but added that the plan is not yet finalized and subject to changes. They also pointed to existing challenges in Taiwan, such as the island's limited land and labor resources for iPhone production, even for a pilot line, which would need roughly a thousand operators, they said.

Apple has told several suppliers that it expects the introduction of a foldable model to spur demand for iPhones overall, including non-foldable ones. Nikkei's sources suggest Apple is aiming to produce about 95 million iPhones in its next lineup coming in 2026 – a 10% increase in total phone shipments from 2025 – and the company believes that introducing a long-awaited folding model would help achieve that goal.

Multiple sources have now confirmed that Apple is planning to release its first foldable ‌iPhone‌ in 2026, with the device coming as part of the iPhone 18 lineup. For example, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple plans to release a foldable iPhone next year, followed by a foldable iPad in 2028.

Kuo has outlined a book-style foldable iPhone with an approximately 7.8-inch inner display and 5.5-inch outer screen, priced between $2,000 and $2,500. Apple is expected to skip Face ID authentication and instead use Touch ID integrated into the side button to save internal space in the folded design. Apple has already used side button-integrated Touch ID for the iPad Air and iPad mini, so the design choice is not unprecedented.

Camera-wise, the foldable iPhone is expected to include a dual-lens rear camera, with a front-facing camera for both folded and unfolded states, according to Kuo.

• 2026 Foldable iPhone: All the Leaks So Far

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has also said he expects the device to be launched next year in the fall season.
This article, "Apple Eyes Foldable iPhone Pilot Production Line in Taiwan" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple runs literally thousands of tests while validating, tuning, and refining AirPods in a facility which includes mini recording studios with real instruments.

One tech writer got a rare tour of the facility, which is even home to a large vintage hi-fi setup donated to an earlier generation of Apple audio engineers by Steve Jobs …

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Your and AirPods Pro are getting even better with iOS 26. As well as new features like camera remote and sleep detection to pause media, Apple is also improving the charging experience.

With the new update, your iPhone can automatically remind you when your AirPods are running out of juice. These alerts can show even when your AirPods are not currently in your ears, but stored in their case, that is running low on battery. This is perhaps relevant for the , which have a smaller case battery size than the previous generation.

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Following a very well-timed video leak earlier this week, Meta announced tonight its new lineup of smart glasses, including the Meta Ray-Ban Display. Here are the details.

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iOS 26 includes a new Home app feature called Adaptive Temperature, which is designed to adjust the thermostat automatically when you leave the house or arrive back home.


Adaptive Temperature can be turned on by opening up the Home app, selecting a thermostat, opening up the settings, and then tapping on Adaptive Temperature. With permission, Adaptive Temperature can switch between temperature modes (Cool/Heat/Auto/Off) as needed, predict user arrival based on daily schedule to adjust temperature, and change the temperature based on room occupancy if occupancy sensors are available.

According to Apple, Adaptive Temperature relies on Activity History to determine whether someone is home. The thermostat will adjust temperature based on a "home" state, which is when someone is in the house, and an "away" state, which is when no one is home. There's also an "extended away" state that further tweaks the temperature if no one is home for longer than 24 hours, or if every member of the home is a certain distance away.

The Activity History feature in the Home app does not specifically log when someone leaves or arrives home, but it does keep track of when the home's activity state changes. Turning off location sharing with the Home app will prevent Activity History from using a device's location to trigger Adaptive Temperature.

It's not yet clear if Adaptive Temperature is working, or if thermostat makers need to release software updates to enable the feature. On Reddit, several users have been unable to find the Adaptive Temperature setting for their HomeKit or Matter-compatible thermostats.
This article, "iOS 26 Includes Adaptive Temperature Option for Automatic Thermostat Adjustment" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In a new video shot entirely on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, photographer Tyler Stalman takes an in-depth look at the cameras on the new iPhone 17 lineup, with a special focus on the Pro models. Here’s what he found.

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With watchOS 26, the Apple Watch Series 9 and later and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later support Hypertension Notifications to give Apple Watch wearers a heads up when chronic high blood pressure is detected.


Apple this week provided more insight into how the feature works. There are no new health sensors in the watch, which is why it's available for older devices. The Apple Watch analyzes data collected from the heart sensor, using a new algorithm to see if there are signs of hypertension.

Hypertension alerts require 30 days of data, and the data collection starts when Hypertension Notifications are set up with the Health app on the iPhone. If hypertension is identified within the last 30 days of heart data, you'll get a notification.

Apple says that the feature is designed for users who are 22 years or older, not pregnant, and have not been diagnosed with hypertension. Apple Watch owners who do not meet that criteria should not enable the feature.

Apple Watch users who receive a hypertension alert will be prompted to create a Blood Pressure Log and check their blood pressure using a third-party blood pressure measurement device for a 7-day period. Apple will also suggest getting in contact with a healthcare professional.

The Blood Pressure Log option will send daily alerts reminding users to perform a check in the morning and the evening, and it includes options for adding date, time, systolic, and diastolic pressure. Logging blood pressure can be done for a 7-day period to detect hypertension, or for a 4-week period to better monitor existing hypertension.

Apple warns that not all people with hypertension will receive a notification, and the feature is not meant to diagnose, treat, or aid in the management of hypertension.
This article, "Apple Explains How Hypertension Alerts Work on Apple Watch" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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With iOS 18, Apple introduced a “Slow Charger” warning for iPhone users looking to diagnose or improve the charging speed of their iPhones. Now, the same warning is coming to watchOS 26. Here’s how to find it.

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Apple CEO Tim Cook was among multiple high-profile guests at a state dinner at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, joining King Charles III and Donald Trump. Here are the details.

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It's been two days since iOS 26 was released, and Apple's new Liquid Glass design is even more divisive than expected.


Any major design change can create controversy as people get used to the new look, but the MacRumors forums, Reddit, Apple Support Communities, and social media sites seem to feature more criticism than praise as people discuss the update.

Complaints

There are a long list of complaints about Liquid Glass, from the impact on readability to lag caused by animations. Here are some of the main critiques:

• Animations run slow, and the interface feels sluggish on older iPhones.


• The constantly changing colors, shapes, and shading are distracting.


• The animations make no sense.


• It looks like a Barbie phone with battery wasting features.


• Basic actions require too many taps.


• The bubbles and floaty icons are cartoony.


• The contrast is awful.


• Some app icons look blurry.


• The design is inconsistent, and some things are flat while some are glass.


• Highlights on UI elements are inconsistent.


• It's hard to read things like notifications.


• The effects are too subtle for the system overhead costs.

Some People Like It

On the MacRumors forums, complaints about Liquid Glass are interspersed with responses from people who have been using it during beta, and the consensus is "you'll get used to it."

It does always take time to get used to a new look, and Liquid Glass will become less jarring as people become accustomed to the new animations and the behavior of buttons and other interface elements.

Not everyone hates Liquid Glass, and there are also many positive comments from people who prefer the new design. Some of that sentiment:

• It makes the iPhone feel faster.


• It feels modern and clean, and makes a boring smartphone a little more fun.


• It's bright, bouncy, and just plain cool to use.


• Getting notifications is satisfying, and the Lock Screen keypad is like bubbles.


• It's fresh and easy to get accustomed to.


• iOS 18's flat UI was depressing, so ‌iOS 26‌ is an improvement.


• It's technologically impressive with the light refraction and diffusion of chromatic aberration.


• The icons are slick and it harkens back to the OG Apple UI design.

Media Complaints

• The unbearable sameness of Liquid Glass


• Liquid Glass Could Be One of Apple's Most Divisive System Designs Yet


• This Liquid Glass Optical Illusion on iOS 26 Is Driving Me Insane


• Apple's Liquid Glass: The liquid works, but the glass is broken

iOS 7

Everyone remembers iOS 7, because it was the first big design change that Apple made to iOS. Apple did away with skeuomorphism in favor of a "flat" design, and it was not a change that people were prepared for. A lot of the comments shared when iOS 7 came out mirror the comments we're seeing now about Liquid Glass.

• iOS 7 Interface Design is so UGLY!


• The real problem with iOS 7 Design


• Does anyone dislike IOS 7 as much as I do?


• iOS 7 Bugs: Will They Ever be Fixed


• The biggest complaints about iOS 7 so far


• The design of iOS 7: simply confusing

Despite the complaints about iOS 7, Apple stuck with it. There were ongoing refinements to fix bugs and to tweak the overall design, but Apple didn't reverse course. Design updates in iOS 8, iOS 9, and iOS 10 didn't change the fundamentals, but it got better and better, and people got used to it.

Liquid Glass could follow the same path. Apple will make updates and optimizations, but it's probably going to inform the next decade of software releases. In discussion threads on Liquid Glass, you'll see a lot of comments from people recalling iOS 7 and reminding us all that we've been here before.

Tone Down Liquid Glass

If you're having a hard time adjusting to the Liquid Glass design, there is no opt out, but you can toggle on Reduce Transparency.

• iOS 26: Reduce Transparency of Apple's Liquid Glass Design

You can also increase your display contrast, and the two settings together will eliminate most of the translucency that was introduced with Liquid Glass.

Chime In

What do you love or hate about Liquid Glass? Let us know in the comments.
This article, "iOS 26's Liquid Glass Design Draws Criticism From Users" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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